🔗 Share this article

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".

These messages were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as Trump's closest aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We're going to publish the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.

A few days before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."

UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges

The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. May soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so others see the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the people here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was finally toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for the political party told media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.

The Congress will decide soon on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.